The large neon cross outside the Peoria Rescue Mission has been a beacon of hope for homeless men in Peoria since 1962. The sign, which adorned the old mission building before the current building was dedicated in 1985, was purchased with memorial funds left by one of the mission's founder, Florence Holzschuh. (LESLIE RENKEN/JOURNAL STAR FILE PHOTO)

It all began in 1955 with two Peoria women serving coffee and rolls to the hungry and homeless men in Peoria.

Today the building behind the neon cross “Jesus Saves” on Adams Street provides a place to sleep for about 60 men each night, and food and clothing for hundreds more. In addition, Peoria Rescue Ministries has branched out with four additional buildings providing drug and alcohol treatment for men and women, guidance services for pregnant women and counseling for families.

The common theme of all of the Ministries’ programs is faith.

The Peoria Rescue Mission was the vision of Peoria residents Florence Holzschuh and Helen Durdel, who saw the need to minister to the hungry and homeless men of Peoria. Both women lived in Peoria and visited the Pacific Garden Mission in Chicago and their hearts reached out to the homeless and alcoholic men they saw on the streets of Peoria and Chicago.

These women talked with their husbands who were businessmen and bought Grim’s Clothing Store on 510 SW Adams St. Over several years, the Peoria City Mission had a couple of name changes and expanded, finally becoming Peoria Rescue Ministries. More space became necessary, and in 1958, the building at 601 SW Adams was purchased and opened in 1959, serving men with food, showers and beds.

In 1962, Holzschuh passed away and her memorial funds purchased the large neon sign of the red cross and message “Jesus Saves” that stands outside the mission today.

In March 1971, Jerry Trecek became the mission’s executive director, and he is still there. In 1985, the current building was constructed.

this has been up so long that over half of the people alive today are younger than the sign. and half of us who are older than the siugn have forgotten abovt it , and not on purpose but because of age related prpblems.